On the morning of June 20, Project Pet, a NYC-based animal rescue, left two-year-old Pit Bull Cocoa Puffs at Animal Care and Control’s Manhattan facility to be spayed. That was the last time anyone outside Animal Care and Control (ACC) would see Cocoa alive.

According to ACC medical records, provided to The Companion via Project Pet, towards the end of the operation technicians observed a “somewhat closed” pop off valve, which maintains a passively full breathing bag allowing the patient to breathe normally while under anesthesia.

According to a Manhattan veterinarian, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution from ACC, in order for a patient to be able to breathe while under anesthesia the pop off valve must be fully open. When closed the patient cannot adequately inflate/deflate their lungs, leading to a lack of oxygen, hypoxia, and death.

Considering spay operations can last anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the circumstances, we don’t know exactly how long Cocoa went without being able to breathe properly.

What is known is the fact that according to ACC’s medical records the veterinarian performing the operation had began “closing the subdermal layer when it was noticed that the rebreathing bag was distended (swelled out because of pressure from inside).”

According to the veterinarian we spoke to, closing the subdermal layer is performed “towards the end (of the operation) and (is) basically the second to last step.”

The ACC medical report continues: “Immediate actions were taken to remove and check the bag, tubing, and valves as well as to physically check Cocoa’s vital signs. No heartbeat was noted at that time and closed chest CPR was immediately initiated along with administration of epinephrine.”

Epinephrine induces controlled contractions in the heart muscles so to resuscitate and resume heart functions. The attempt by ACC medical staff to bring resuscitate Cocoa was unsuccessful.